Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased to be here today to officially open the new Prison Service Headquarters in Clondalkin. I am even more pleased to have been a Minister in this Government which has acted so decisively to modernise the key structures of the criminal justice system which underpins our society.
The institution of a proper Headquarters structure and agency status for the Prisons Service was delivered upon when I appointed the Prisons Authority Interim Board under Chairman Brian McCarthy in April 1999. This first step was followed by the recruitment of the Director General, Mr Sean Aylward, and the making of many other key appointments to provide leadership and direction to the prison service. The prisons now have the unprecedented advantage of the ongoing guidance of the Prisons Authority which includes people from a broad spectrum of professional, community and business backgrounds.
When I took office as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform many aspects of the Justice system in this State were in a shambles. The phrase 'shambles' is not mine - it featured in many newspaper headlines and editorials during the term of the Rainbow Coalition Government as the public viewed with increasing dismay the seeming collapse of the justice pillar of civil society in Ireland.
The 'Revolving Door' was in full swing and the temporary release system was being used by prison authorities to 'shed' hundreds of prisoners every week to cope with the lack of capacity in the system. It made a mockery of the criminal justice system. Over five short years, I have presided over an unprecedented investment in our prison infrastructure adding around 1200 new spaces to the capacity of the prison system - with an additional 700 on the way - to end the scandal of the prisons revolving door which did so much to undermine and bring into disrepute the entire criminal justice system.
I am also happy to record today the substantial progress made on the management of drug dependant prisoners. Drug free wings have been designated at St Patrick's Institution and Wheatfield Prison. Drug-free landings and wings in the other main custodial prisons will be operated with a target date of summer 2003. Methadone maintenance is now offered in the main Dublin prisons for prisoners who were already on such programmes on committal. Additional medical staff and senior health board and prison managers have been appointed to drive the Drugs Treatment Programme forward.
In relation to sex offenders, I endorse the long held view of prison management that only through a multi-disciplinary approach can we tackle this issue at prison level. It is only where the whole prison establishment supports and encourages the offender to deal with his propensity to offend that sex offenders can be successfully persuaded to adopt a relapse preventative strategy. Work is continuing in compiling necessary staff selection training and accreditation manuals for the new treatment programmes which we hope to introduce within the next 12 months.
In addition, the prison service will very shortly be publishing a major consultation document commissioned by them from an eminent research psychologist setting out key issues for the management of sex offenders in custody in this jurisdiction. Other key developments during my term of office have been the moves to establish a Parole Board and a Prisons Inspectorate on a statutory basis. Pending introduction of the relevant legislation, I have appointed an Interim Parole Board under the Chairmanship of Mr Gordon Holmes and an Inspector of Prisons, the Right Honourable Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen.
The Interim Parole Board, which is advisory in nature will be of significant benefit in the effective sentence management of long-term prisoners. The appointment of the Inspector of Prisons represents the implementation of the last major commitment in the Government's programme in regard to the prison system. I am of the view that the appointment of Mr Justice Kinlen, who has shown over the years a special interest in the welfare of prisoners, will make for an even more accountable and fair prison system. The final phase of this Government's prison building programme is now ready for implementation with a number of major projects due to commence in the coming months.
A major programme of development at Cork Prison is due to start within the next three months and will include a secure centre for Juvenile Offenders aged 16 and 17 years of age as well as much needed improvements to the existing prison facilities and infrastructure at Cork. I will sign contracts in the coming weeks for significant building works at Limerick Prison where a new Female Prisoner Unit and a prisoner transition housing unit are being constructed - and at Portlaoise Prison for the first phase of a major and long overdue redevelopment programme.
I am, in addition, particularly pleased to announce that I will be signing a contract within the next fortnight or so for the first phase of the Mountjoy Prison refurbishment. Mountjoy, our most famous and fabled surviving prison from the Victorian era, has borne the brunt of major overcrowding over the last thirty years. Its working conditions and facilities for staff and prisoners alike have greatly deteriorated as a result. I am pleased to confirm here today that, having consulted widely in the matter and reflected on the various options presented to me, I have decided to retain the essential architectural elements of the main prison while at the same time converting it to becoming a modern and well equipped institution capable of maintaining its pivotal role within our prison system.
To be precise in this matter, I have come to the conclusion that the historic prison gate area and the major front elevation of its two largest blocks should be substantially preserved and that we will keep as much of the rest as is consistent with the recommendations of last year's Lonergan Group Report which emphasises a new unified rehabilitation focus for the whole Mountjoy Complex.
Other important projects which I am pursuing include the provision of a new Juvenile Centre in the Dublin area for up to 110 boys and girls aged 16 to 17 years of age. This development is necessary in order to comply with separate accommodation requirements as set down in the Childrens Act and the Prison Service is currently actively examining a number of possible locations for this facility. I also wish to mention that work is continuing with my agreement on finalising plans for developments at Wheatfield, Castlerea and Fort Mitchel.
Ladies and gentlemen, I will not be the first politician to remark that the way we treat people in custody is a litmus test for the state of civilisation in society. We are required and expected by the people to provide a firm but fair prison system which respects the individual dignity of persons in custody but which also works actively to rehabilitate offenders in the interests of Justice and a safer society. I believe our prison structures and regimes will increasingly pass that test.
In concluding these remarks, I could hardly fail to mention that the entrance to this splendid building is no less an object than a revolving door. Thankfully this is now the only revolving door in the Prison Service! Finally, I would like to thank the Office of Public Works for their assistance in securing this facility for the Prison Service and I would also like to express my gratitude to our landlords here, SIAC, for the efficient and professional manner in which the building fitout has been completed and delivered - within budget and on time.
It now gives me great pleasure to formally declare this new Prison Service Headquarters open.
Thank you. |
